MP for East Thanet Polly Billington says apprenticeships are a vital tool for tackling Thanet’s stubborn youth unemployment rate.
Statistics for January show Thanet’s youth unemployment rate now stands at 10.2%- equalling 945 young people aged 18 to 24- which is the highest rate in the south-east.
For Kent as a whole the rate is 5.5%, above the national rate of 5.4%.
Polly spoke about apprenticeships following a week of visits to local businesses that host apprentices, including WW Martin, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, and The Perfect Place to Grow, where she met bosses and apprentices who were working hard to boost the local economy and forge a career for themselves.
Polly spent time meeting colleagues at WW Martin, including Fran, Jake and George, who are completing a bricklaying apprenticeship and helping to build new social houses in Dane Valley.
She also met Dan who was joining the firm for the week on work experience from Dane Court School.
On a visit to the QEQM hospital in Margate, Polly met two Level 6 apprentices, Mike and Olakanmi, who are combining learning to become practitioners alongside working at the hospital and becoming part of the NHS workforce.
The MP also joined the team at Margate’s The Perfect Place to Grow to cook some chilli and meet young people out of education, who learn cookery and hospitality skills in a professional kitchen while building their confidence.
The Perfect Place to Grow, attached to Tracey Emin’s TKE Studio, has supported more than 50 people since opening 18 months ago.
Polly also spent time meeting with the East Kent Colleges Group senior leadership team to talk about the future of further education and apprenticeships in East Thanet and how to make sure the best opportunities are available locally.
The visits coincided with the announcement that the Labour government is making changes to the national apprenticeship programme to make placements more flexible, increase the number of apprenticeships available, and boost the economy.
The new policies are expected to enable an additional 10,000 young people to undertake an apprenticeship every year in key sectors including construction, healthcare and clean energy.
Polly said: “Thanet’s youth unemployment rate of 10.2% is one of the highest in the country and we know that coastal communities like ours face unique challenges when it comes to building a year-round economy with well-paid and secure jobs.
“It’s been fantastic to visit some really inspiring local businesses over the past week who are forging ahead with giving people the skills they need to get a leg up onto the career ladder.
“Increasing access to apprenticeships is essential for tackling youth unemployment, so the changes to the scheme announced by the government are really welcome for making sure that even more Thanet businesses can take on an apprentice in the coming years. I have left these visits feeling really optimistic about the future of Thanet’s young workforce.”
Lucy McLeod, Deputy CEO from East Kent Colleges Group said: “East Kent Colleges Group has always been passionate about the significant opportunity apprenticeships provide for young people and for employers to get the skills they need.
“As the largest provider of apprenticeships in Thanet and the whole of East Kent, training more than 1,000 apprentices every year, it was great to discuss with Polly how important it is for the local economy to get more young people into apprenticeships and how employers of small and medium sized companies need support to do this.”
Thanet Jobcentre Plus
Thanet Jobcentres are also supporting more young people into work/training or an apprenticeship by promoting National Apprenticeship Week (10th to 16th March)
Work Coaches have been explaining the benefits of apprenticeships and the training attached that can lead to a career in many sectors for young people.
In conjunction with National Apprenticeship Week, the team attended an Apprenticeship Fair on 6th February at King Ethelbert’s School and promoted apprenticeships as a route into careers in the civil service and beyond.
To support people who would like to jump start a new career path by undertaking an apprenticeship, Thanet Jobcentres have arranged apprenticeship information sessions, promoted apprenticeships across the job centres and worked with local employers to support claimants with their applications to these opportunities.
On 13th March, Thanet Jobcentres, supported by Thanet District Council, will be holding a job fair at the San Clu Hotel in Ramsgate.
Recruitment Specialist, Jason Bloomfield said: “With employers such as Drink Warehouse and Dreamland set to attend, looking to fill vacancies ahead of their peak recruitment periods, this event is set to be an exciting opportunity for both local employers and our customers”.
If any local employers would like to book a stand at this or any future recruitment events, please contact [email protected].
A successful Care Forum with local care employers and Thanet Jobcentres will also result in continued work with these employers. Since the event eight people have received job offers following interview sessions that were held at Ramsgate Job Centre.
Government changes to the national apprenticeship scheme
A cut in the minimum duration of apprenticeships from 12 to eight months to cut costs for employers and increase flexibility.
The introduction of flexibility for employers to decide whether a Maths and English qualification is necessary as part of the prescribed course.
Simpler End Point Assessments and a reformed payment system to cut red tape for employers.
The introduction of new and updated apprenticeships for occupations including police constables, teaching assistants, healthcare support workers, dental hygienists, wind turbine technicians, and civil engineers, so a total of 660 occupations are now available to apprentices.
The launch of a Your Apprenticeship app to support apprentices through their programme.
It’s an absolute disgrace that apprenticeships were ever stopped in the first place!
i think the same applies to woodwork and metalwork in schools , kids today cannot even mend a punture in a bicycle , its a throw away society sadly